Palmer & Cay, a leading independent insurance and benefits brokerage with offices across the Southeast, recently promoted Sam Fuller, Jack Grovenstein and Christopher P. Kane to Partner and Ashley Tillman to Principal, recognizing their impressive leadership at the firm as well as their strong commitment to clients.   

“Sam, Jack, Chis and Ashley are accomplished professionals who have earned respect for their strategic guidance, client relationships and industry expertise,” said Palmer & Cay CEO Jack Cay. “We’re delighted to announce their recent promotions and deeply appreciate their ongoing commitment to delivering strategic solutions to Palmer & Cay clients across various sectors.” 

Sam Fuller is a Senior Vice President and Certified Risk Manager who leads Palmer & Cay’s delivery of property and casualty insurance, employee benefits and risk management services to middle market and corporate clients. With 20 years of experience in the industry, he has spent his career serving the insurance needs of clients and leading overall strategy, delivery and execution. He originally joined the firm in 2017 with the launch of Palmer & Cay’s Charlotte, N.C. office.    

Fuller specializes in complex, innovative programs and solutions, leading clients through feasibility, transition, implementation and management of large traditional and alternative funding strategies. With a focus on commercial and industrial industries, he has developed a unique expertise in the construction, commercial real estate, private equity and manufacturing  sectors. His involvement in the community has also led to specialization in the not-for-profit sector, which includes various large regional and national human services and philanthropic organizations. Originally from Rock Hill, S.C., Fuller is a graduate of Clemson University and lives in Charlotte, N.C.             

Jack Grovenstein, a Senior Vice President at Palmer & Cay, is a respected professional with more than 15 years of experience in the risk management and insurance brokerage industry. He works with middle market and corporate companies, advising fiduciaries and business owners on capital-efficient risk transfer and insurance placement helping them reclaim cost, reduce risk and retain employees. He also offers expertise in contractual risk control, property and casualty and employee benefits insurance and developing creative solutions for clients.

Prior to joining Palmer & Cay in 2020, Grovenstein worked in both underwriting, broking, and consulting capacities at several major national brokerages, where he worked with Fortune 1000 accounts. Throughout his career, he has focused on designing, analyzing and implementing risk management programs for clients with complex property and casualty needs across various industry segments, including energy, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, outdoor/adventure, private equity, financial institutions, higher education and industrial manufacturing. An Atlanta native, Grovenstein earned a bachelor’s degree in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Georgia and currently lives in Athens, Ga. 

Christopher P. Kane serves as the Practice Leader for Palmer & Cay’s Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions and Family Office team and is a Senior Vice President at the firm. He is dedicated to navigating the complex risks of financial sponsors throughout the acquisition process and excels at property and casualty insurance, employee benefits and executive risk due diligence. 

Kane joined Palmer & Cay in 2021 and previously worked at a national brokerage firm, where he advised middle-market and upper-middle-market clients as well as private equity sponsors. He has more than 13 years of experience in the insurance and risk management industry and is known for his expertise in areas ranging from transactional liability and contingent risk insurance to post-close portfolio solutions. Originally from Atlanta, he now lives in Roswell, Ga. and serves on several nonprofit boards and committees. 

Ashley Tillman, Senior Account Executive and Compliance Lead at Palmer & Cay, offers two decades of expertise in Employee Benefits, managing comprehensive employer benefit programs. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of strategic renewal marketing and alternative benefit solutions and fostered collaborative relationships with carriers and administrators to meet the evolving needs of clients. She also ensures that clients are consistently informed about the latest legislative changes, sharing key updates with both her team and clients to maintain compliance and ensure operational excellence. 

Before joining Palmer & Cay, Tillman made significant contributions to the National InfoSource Task Force and the National Brokerage Builder Task Force at HRH and was a five-time recipient of the prestigious USI Summit Award for Outstanding Service. A graduate of Leadership Savannah, she earned the "Top 40 under 40" Insurance Agents Award from the Georgia Association of Health Underwriters. Active in the industry as well as the community, she currently serves as the Secretary of the Coastal Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Benefits & Insurance Professionals and has served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross of Southeast and Coastal Georgia. Tillman earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Georgia and currently lives in Savannah, Ga.